Deformable fluid applicator



April 1, 1969 P, CHARQS DEFORMABLE FLUID APPLICATOR Filed NOV. 9, 1966 INVENTOR. PETER CHAROS A TTORNE Y5 United States Patent 3,436,161 DEFORMABLE FLUID APPLICATOR Peter Charos, Fordham Road, Hampton Bays, N.Y. 11946 Filed Nov. 9, 1966, Ser. No. 594,311 Int. Cl. 343k 7/10; B43m 11/02; B44d 3/28 U.S. Cl. 401147 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A liquid applicator having a working portion which, when compressed against a surface member, dispenses an amount of liquid from a reservoir of the applicator and applies the same under pressure to the surface member.

This invention relates generally to an applicator for applying a fluid to a surface and, more particularly, pertains to an applicator which may be deformedby a relatively small pressure to force a fluid onto a surface.

Presently, there are many types of applicators on the market, which are utilized to deposit a liquid on a surface. For example, many deodorant applicators include a sphere which is rotatably supported on a deodorant or cosmetic reservoir. The outer surface of the sphere is usually roughened. When the sphere is rolled over the body of the user, the liquid deodorant in the reservoir is picked up by the roughed sphere which, in turn, deposits the deodorant on the body. However, in practice it has been found that this type of applicator is extremely inefficient in operation.

One major drawback associated with the above-described applicator is due to the fact that the sphere simply smears the fluid or deodorant on the surface of the body. Thus, in many cases the liquid evaporates before it can perform its function. This action is particularly disadvantageous in those cases in which the fluid or liquid has a medicinal value and is being utilized to treat affected areas of the skin. Additionally, the fluid does not always adhere to the spherical applicator. Thus, portions of the body are left completely devoid of the liquid. The fact that the liquid or, in the present example, the deodorant is not deposited evenly over the surface of the sphere presents a further drawback to the use of these so-called roll-on applicators. Hence, some portions of the body receive a high concentration of the fluid while other portions of the body are covered lightly.

Accordingly, the desideratum of the present invention is to provide a fluid applicator which forces a fluid onto a surface under pressure rather than simply to roll the same on the surface to insure that the fluid is positively deposited thereon.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a fluid applicator which includes metering means for controlling the rate of flow of the applied fluid so that the fluid is applied evenly.

Another object and feature of the present invention resides in the novel details of construction which provide a fluid applicator in which the rate of flow of the fluid may be varied easily, and which is simple in construction and easy to manufacture.

In furtherance of the above objects, one embodiment of the fluid applicator of the present invention includes a hollow, substantially non-deformable core member having a fluid reservoir therein. A deformable, somewhat porous material covers the core member and it is provided with a plurality of depressions on its outer surface. A metering means connects the fluid reservoir with each one of the plurality of depressions and it is operable to selectively control the rate of flow of the fluid from the reservoir to the depressions thereby to insure that a selected amount of fluid will be applied to a surface by the applicator.

As the applicator of the present invention is rolled or otherwise moved on a surface, such as skin, the material covering the rigid core member is compressed between the core member and the surface thereby to decrease the area of the depressions. Accordingly, the fluid retained in the depressions will be forced onto the surface. If the surface is porous, as in the case of the skin, the fluid will enter the pores thereby subjecting them to a cleansing action or treatment in the case of fluids of a medicinal nature.

A feature of the present invention is to provide a fluid applicator having a deformable covering which includes fluid-retaining depressions therein that are adapted to force a fluid onto a surface when the applicator is pressed against the surface.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fluid applicator constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view thereof, taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, detailed view of a portion of the metering device shown in FIG. 2, taken along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the applicator shown in FIG. 1, as seen looking from the end of the applicator, taken along line 44 of FIG. 2;

'FIG. 5 is an end view of the fluid applicator shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the locking control for the metering device;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of a modified embodiment of a fluid applicator constructed in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-section of another embodiment constructed according to the invention.

In the description which follows, it will be assumed that the fluid applicator of the present invention will be utilized to apply a cream lotion of the type which conditions the skin of the body of a person. However, it is emphasized that this example is by way of illustration only and is not to be interpreted as a limitation of the present invention. That is, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the fluid applicator of the present invention may be utilized for applying many different types of fluids such as paint, ink, etc.

One embodiment of the fluid applicator of the present invention may best be understood by referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the applicator is designated generally by the numeral 10. The applicator 10 is generally in the form of a roller and comprises a hollow core 12 which is received in a sleeve or tube generally identified by the numeral 14. The cylindrical core 12 is formed from a substantially rigid or non-deformable material such as metal or a non-resilient or non-flexible plastic. On the other hand, the sleeve 14 is fabricated from an easily deformable, pliable and resilient or compressible fnaterial such as foam rubber or a synthetic foam plastic sub stance. Hence, in addition to being compressible, the sleeve 14 is also porous or absorbent.

Defined within the hollow interior of the core 12 is a fluid reservoir 16 in which is stored the cream lotion. The reservoir 16 is closed by respective end caps 18 and 20. More specifically, the end caps 18 and 20 include respective longitudinally extending circular walls 22 and 24. The outer surfaces of the walls 22 and 24 threadedly engage complementary threaded portions of the core 12 adjacent the ends of the reservoir 16. Thus, the caps 18 and 20 may be removed by unscrewing the same when it is desired to refill the reservoir 16.

Provided in the core 12 are a plurality of longitudinally and circumferentially spaced through apertures 26. Defined in the sleeve 14 are a like plurality of longitudinally and circumferentially spaced passages 28 which are axially aligned with respective ones of the apertures 26. The walls defining each aperture 26 and the walls defining a portion of each passage 28 taper inwardly toward their common axis and terminate in a bore 30 of substantially constant diameter. Each of the bores 30 communicates with a respective hemispherical depression 32 on the outer surface of the sleeve 14 which is coaxial with the associated bore. As shown in FIG. 1, the depressions 32 are longitudinally and circumferentially spaced from each other similar to the passages 28 and the apertures 26.

Received within the reservoir 16 is a metering device, designated generally by the reference numeral 34, which is operable to control the rate of flow of the fluid from the reservoir 16 to the depressions 32. The metering device 34 includes a shaft 36 for each bore 30 which terminates in an axially outwardly tapering plug 38 that is sized normally to close the associated bore 30 when the shafts are in a bore ClOSiIlg position. However, as the shafts 36 are moved radially inwardly relative to the inner ends of the respective bores 30, the area between the walls defining the bores 30 and the respective complementary tapered plugs 38 gradually increases. Hence, greater volumes of the fluid will be permitted to flow through the bores. Accordingly, the shafts 36 may be moved to preselected positions relative to the ends of the bores 30 to obtain a desired rate of flow of the fluid.

Movement of the shafts 36 is effected by a plurality of elongated bars 37 from which the shafts 36 extend. The respective ends of the bars 37 are received in individual aligned pairs of grooves 39 in opposed members 41. The pairs of grooves 39 taper inwardly axially and the respective ends of the bars 37 rest on the bottom wall of the grooves and are complementary tapered with respect thereto. Additionally, longitudinally spaced springs 40 encircle the bars 37 and bias the bars toward the axis of the core member 12.

It should be noted that as the distance between the members 41 is decreased, the bars 37 will be forced to ride up on the sloping bottom walls of the respective grooves to move the shafts 36 radially outwardly. The plugs 38 are accordingly moved to their bore closing position. On the other hand, when the distance between the members 41 is increased, the springs 40 exert a bias which causes the respective bars 37 to slide down the tapered grooves toward the axis of the applicator until such motion is arrested by the engagement of the ends of the respective bars 37 and the respective bottom walls of the groove. Hence, the plugs 38 will be moved away from the respective bores 30 thereby to increase the rate of flow of the fluid. Thus, movement of the members 41 toward and away from each other controls the rate of fluid flow through the bores 30.

Extending through the centers of the members 41 and threadedly engaged therewith is an axially extending rod 42. The rod 42 is provided with a right-hand threaded position 49 adjacent one end and a left-hand threaded portion 51 adjacent the other end. The portions 49 and 51 are respectively engaged with the members 41. Additionally, the rod 42 extends beyond the end caps 18 and through respective centrally located bores. Moreover, the members 41 are constrained from rotating by radially extending arms 43 (FIG. 3) which are received in appropriate longitudinally extending grooves 45 in the core member 12. Accordingly, the rotation of the rod 42 will effect axial movement of the members 41 toward or away from each other depending upon the direction of rotation of the shaft. In effect, therefore, the rod 42 may be thought of as a means for controlling the flow rate of the fluid through the bores 30.

A knob 47 is fixedly received on one end of the rod 42 as by a set screw (not shown). The knob 47 facilitates rotation of the rod 42. The other end of the rod 42 receives a nut 64 to maintain the elements received on this end of the rod in place, as noted in detail below.

In order to provide a constant rate of flow of the fluid, the shafts 36 must be maintained in a preselected position relative to their respective bores 30. Accordingly, a locking mechanism, indicated generally by the numeral 48 in FIGS. 1 and 5, looks the shaft 36 in the selected position. The locking mechanism 48 includes a toothed gear or ratchet 50 which is atfixed to the rod 42 between the end cap 18 and the knob 43. Pivotally mounted on the cap 18 adjacent the gear 50 by a pin 52 is a pawl 54. A spring 56 biases the pawl 54 into contact with the teeth of the gear 50. The back of the teeth of the gear 50 are rounded so that as the rod 42 is rotated in the direction to wind the spring 40, the pawl 54 rides up on one tooth and engages the next tooth. This action prevents the spring from unwinding. Thus, the knob 43 may be rotated until the diameter of the spring 40 has decreased to a value sufficient to position the shafts 36 relative to the bores 30 to obtain the desired rate of flow of the fluid. Hence, the gear 50 and the pawl 54 maintain the shafts 36 in this position.

When it is desired to move the shafts 36 to the bore closed position, the pawl 54 is rotated about the pin 52 until it clears the gear 50 and the rod 42 is rotated in the appropriate direction. Thus, the members 41 will move toward each other thereby to move the bars 37 and, hence, the shafts 36 outwardly to close the bores 30. A handle 58 is provided for rotatably supporting the applicator 10. The handle 58 includes a bifurcated end 60, the opposed extensions of which are provided with aligned bores 62. Rotatably received through the bores 62 is the rod 42. A nut 64 is threaded onto the end of the rod 42 to maintain the rod in place. Thus, the applicator 10 will be rotatable with respect to the handle 58.

In operation, the nut 64 and the knob 47 are removed and the ends of the handle are flexed outwardly, thereby to free the applicator 10 from the handle 58. The end cap 20 (or the end cap 18) is removed and the reservoir 16 is filled with the cream lotion. The removed end cap is replaced and the unit is again connected with the handle 58. The nut 64 is then threaded onto the end of the rod 42 and the knob 47 is replaced.

After the reservoir 16 is filled with the desired lotion, the metering device 34 is set to obtain the desired rate of flow of the lotion. As described hereinabove, the knob 43 is rotated relative to the core 12 until the shafts 36 have moved radially inward with respect to their respective bores 30 to provide the desired opening. The locking mechanism 48 then locks the bars 37 in position to maintain the desired flow rate. Thus, the lotion will begin to flow from the reservoir 16 through the apertures 26 and bores 36 to the respective depressions 32 in the sleeve 14 due to gravitational forces and, to a slight degree, centrifugal forces caused by the rotation of the applicator 10.

When the applicator 10 is rolled on the body or skin B (FIG. 4) of the user, the sleeve 14 is compressed between the surface B and the rigid core 12. As the sleeve 14 is compressed, the volume of the depressions 32 in the compressed area becomes smaller. That is, as the sleeve or tube 14 is compressed between the surface of the skin B and the non-deformable core 12, the contacted area of the sleeve deforms and becomes flatter, as shown in FIG. 4. Hence, the depth of the depressions 32 become less thereby decreasing the volume of the depressions. As the depressions 32 become smaller, the lotion retained therein is forced out of the depressions about their outer edges and onto the surface. Hence the lotion is actually forced on to the surface B, rather than simply being smeared thereon in a random manner as in the prior art devices.

Additionally, the depressions 32 produce an action similar to that of a suction cup. Hence, as the applicator is rolled over the skin a suction is produced which tends to lift the skin into the depressions. This action further increases the efi'iciency of the present applicator by forcing the skin into contact with the fluid or lotion as well as forcing the lotion into contact with the skin.

As the applicator is rolled over the body, successive rows of depressions 32 contact the skin B and force the lotion initially retained therein onto the skin. As the depressions 32 leave the skin they resume their natural shape and lotion from the reservoir 16 refills the depressions.

As noted above, the sleeve 14 is fabricated from a porous material. Accordingly, as the areas of the sleeve 14 between the depressions 32 contact the lotion on the body or skin B, they absorb or pick up some of the lotion. Consequently, the entire outer surface of the applicator is coated with the lotion thereby to treat the entire surface of the skin with the lotion rather than just those areas which are contacted by the depressions 32. Accordingly, a fluid applicator has been provided which forces a fluid onto a surface to be treated to efliciently dispense of fluid rather than just to smear the fluid thereon.

If it is desired to dispense a preselected amount of fluid only, the applicator 10 may be used in the following manner: The knob 47 may be rotated until the shafts 36 are spaced a predetermined distance from the bores 30. The locking mechanism 48 is then disabled by pivoting the pawl 54 until it clears the gear 50 and the shafts 36 (and plugs 38) are moved back to the bore closing position. Hence, an amount of fluid proportional to the spacing between the ends of the shafts 36 and the passages 30 will be forced into the depressions 32. The applicator 10 is then used in the manner noted above to dispense this preselected volume of lotion onto the surface under consideration.

A modified embodiment of an applicator constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 6 and is designated generally by the numeral 66 therein. The applicator 66 is ideally suited for use with a flat vibrator or the like.

The applicator 66 comprises a rigid body 68 having a fluid reservoir 70 therein. A fill passage 72 communicates with the reservoir 70 and the outer surface of the body 68 to provide for the filling of the reservoir with a desired fluid. A plug 74 is threadedly received in the passage 72 to close the same.

Received on the bottom wall of the body 68 is a working portion 76. The portion 76 is fabricated from a porous, deformable material similar to the sleeve 14. Provided in the portion 76 is a hemispherical depression 78. Although one depression 78 is shown, it is to be understood that many such depressions may be provided.

The depression 78 communicates with the fluid reservoir 70 through a bore 80 and an upwardly outwardly inclined passage 82. Metering of a fluid from the reservoir 70 to the depression 78 is accomplished by means which include a shaft 84 having an inwardly tapering end portion 86 which seats in the bore 80, similarly to the shafts 36 and the bores 30 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5.

A section adjacent the upper end of the shaft 84 is threaded at 88 and is threadedly engaged in a tapped section 90 in the body 68. The upper end of the shaft extends beyond the body 68 and fixedly receives a handle 92 thereon. Rotation of the handle 92 causes axial movement of the shaft 84 thereby to move the tapered end 86 of the shaft relative to the bore 80 to control the flow rate of the fluid in the same manner as in the applicator 10.

In operation, the shaft 84 is adjusted by rotating the same by the handle 92 to position the shaft 86 relative to the bore 80 to obtain the desired fluid flow rate. The working portion 76 is then applied in a manner similar to the sleeve 14 to dispense the fluid. That is, the portion 76 is compressed between the surface to be treated and the body 68 thereby to decrease the volume of the depression 78. Accordingly, fluid retained in the depression 78 will be forced out onto the contacted surface as the portion 76 is compressed. Additionally, the suction created thereby will force a portion of the surface into the depressions 78 to force the surface into contact with the fluid. Hence, the applicator 66 will likewise force a fluid onto a surface rather than to smear the same thereon as in the prior art.

The fluid applicator embodiment of FIG. 7 is generally identified by the numeral 96. The fluid applicator 96 comprises a massaging rollable member 98 that is shaped like a sphere or ball. The body of the member 98 is purposely provided with a hollow interior 100 that is adapted to contain a fluid trapped therein. The body 98, like the aforedescribed embodiments is fabricated from a porous deformable material that deforms in response to forces applied to portions thereof and returns to its original configuration when the deforming forces are removed.

Spaced about the outer periphery of the ball-shaped body 98 is a plurality of cup-shaped depressions 102. Each cup-shaped depression 102 functions as a suction cup in a manner to be described. The hollow interior of the member 96 communicates with each suction cup depression by way of a respective fluid passage 104.

Thus, in practice and with the interior 100 filled with a fluid to be dispensed therefrom, as the applicator 96 is rolled over a surface the cup-shaped depressions 102 deform as they move into contact with the surface. This causes air in the depressions 102 to be expelled therefrom. As the applicator is rolled further the cup-shaped depressions move over and off of the surface, resulting in areas or depression-s of lower pressure that function as suction areas and suction-cup depressions.

Because each depression is connected with the fluid in the interior of the applicator 96 by a respective passage 104, the fluid moves outward into the depression to fill the vacuum or lower pressure area. In this way a small metered amount of fluid will be dispensed each time a cup-shaped depression is rolled over a surface. The metering of the amount of fluid dispensed can be controlled by the shape and depth of the depression 102 and the size of the passage 104.

The porous body absorbs the fluid as it moves into the depression 102, so that the pores of the body about each depression, and eventually over the whole of the applicator, absorb the fluid. Therefore after a short period of initial use the fluid in the pores is caused to be evenly distributed and smoothly deposited on the surface as the applicator is rolled over the surface and the pores are deformed to dispense the fluid therefrom. This results in covering the surface with an even layer of fluid.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious that numerous omissions, changes and additions may be made in such embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

I claim: 1. fluid applicator for applying a fluid to a member comprising a core member, a fluid reservoir in said core member, deformable fluid dispensing means on said core memher and having a surface for dispensing said fluid,

said surface having a suction cup defined therein, the defining wall of said suction cup being deformable when said surface is pressed against a member to which fluid is to be applied,

and metering means communicating fluid from said reservoir to the narrow of said suction cup to provide a flow of a fluid from said reservoir to said suction cup,

whereby when said fluid dispensing means surface is deformed when said applicator is pressed against a member fluid is communicated to said suction cup by said metering means and the defining wall of said suction cup deforms to apply the fluid under pressure to the member.

2. A fluid applicator as in claim 1, in which said deformable fluid dispensing means surface is a resilient covering on said core member, and a plurality of said suction cups in said covering surface for retaining the fluid therein prior to the application of the fluid under pressure by said suction cups, whereby said covering is compressed when applied to a surface to force the fluid in said suction cups onto the member.

3. A fluid applicator according to claim 2,

wherein said metering means includes a separate passage between said fluid reservoir and the narrow of each of said plurality of suction cups, plug means in each of said passages movable between a passage open and a passage closed position,

and operating means for selectively moving said plugs to the passage open position to provide for the flow of a preselected amount of fluid from said reservoir to said plurality of suction cups.

4. A fluid applicator as in claim 3, and a tapered end portion on each of said plug means engageable in respective passages for varying the effective opening of said passages to vary the rate of flow of a fluid therethrough.

5. A fluid applicator as in claim 4,

wherein said operating means comprises a plurality of bars extending through said core member, each of said bars mounting a plurality of said plug means thereon control means connected to said bars for radially moving said bars outwardly to cause said plugs to assume the passage closed position,

and biasing means for biasing said bars inwardly to cause said plugs to assume the passage open position.

6. A fluid applicator as in claim 5,

and lock means for locking said plurality of bars in a pre-selected position to maintain each of said plug means in a predetermined position relative to their respective passages to obtain a desired flow of a fluid through said passages.

7. A fluid applicator as in claim 4,

wherein said operating means comprises a screw connected to said plug means and in threaded engagement with said core member, to provide axial movement of said plug means relative to said passages, whereby the rotation of said screw in a first direction causes said plug means to move toward the passage open position and rotation of said screw in the opposite direction causes said plug means to move toward the passage closed position to vary the rate of flow of a liquid through said respective passages.

8. A fluid applicator for applying a fluid to a member comprising a core member,

a fluid reservoir in said core member,

a resilient and compressible surface on and outside of said core member,

and at least one fluid dispensing suction cup in said surface, the defining wall of the suction cup being deformable when said surface is compressed against a member,

passage metering means between said fluid reservoir and said suction cup for providing a flow of fluid from said fluid reservoir to said suction cup when its wall is compressed,

whereby the area of said suction cup is decreased to force a fluid therein outward therefrom under pressure onto a member when said surface is compressed against the member.

9. A fluid applicator as in claim 8,

in which a plurality of suction cups are relatively spaced from each other and are provided in said surface,

and a handle movably supporting said applicator.

10. A fluid applicator comprising a rollable member having a hollow interior adapted to contain a fluid to be dispensed therefrom,

said rollable member including a body deformable in response to forces applied to portions thereof, a plurality of suction cups spaced about the periphery of said body, and passage means defining a communication between the fluid in the interior of said member and the suction cups to communicate fluid from the interior to the suction cups in response to a suction created at said suction cups when the suction cups deform and produce areas of lower pressure as they roll over a surface, so that the fluid in the suction cups is deposited under pressure on the surface.

11. A fluid applicator as in claim 10,

said deformable body being porous to absorb and evenly distribute fluid communicated to said suction cups and deposited on the surface so the surface is covered with an even layer of the fluid.

12. A fluid applicator as in claim 11,

said rollable member being a sphere and said porous deformable material exuding the absorbed fluid from the pores thereof as the sphere is rolled over the surface and deformed during such rolling movement to cause the pores and suction cups to exude the fluid therefrom.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,325,867 8/1943 Matsa-kas 401-197 2,708,763 5/1955 Jacdby 401--197 2,804,678 9/1957 Rockoff 2912l 3,106,725 10/1963 Steiner et al. 40l-197 X 3,235,900 2/1966 Klassen 401-215 FOREIGN PATENTS 7 42,235 11/ 1943 Germany. 800,540 1 1/ 1950 Germany.

LAWRENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 40l--197, 219 

